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Pursuing life lived WELL

I thought I needed a Challenger and what the Bible says about cars

This is a post about my cars followed by what the Bible says about cars (LOL!)

For years I have thought about driving a Dodge Challenger as my 2004 Monte Carlo is about to hit 170k soon. So I took some time to test drive a 2010 Dodge Challenger SE and what a disappointment that was – all show and no go. Reminded me of when I was driving a 1970 Camaro with a six-cylinder that looked like it would go fast but it couldn’t. I found the Edmonds reviewer thought the same thing when he wrote, “Do you love smoky burnouts, Hemi V8 engines and mind-numbing acceleration? Well, the 2010 Dodge Challenger SE isn’t the car for you.” (see http://www.edmunds.com/dodge/challenger/2010/road-test.html)

I like the way the Challenger looks and I fit in it well but I will have to hold out for for Hemi V-8 if I’m going to enjoy a Challenger experience. Maybe I’m just like the other grandpas buying midlife crisis cars. I’m not really having a crisis – unless you count driving Dodge Caravans for the last 20 years. I was excited when it was time to replace our 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan since we only have 1 teenager at home I thought the mini-van era was over for me until my wife said we now need the Caravan to carry all the grandchildren around in.

The 2004 Monte Carlo is sufficient, the sticker says it is supposed to get 30mpg (not when I’m driving it) and it is sufficient for now. And I was glad I went for that test drive so I can feel content with what I have. I wonder how I will feel if I keep test driving cars? I see a new car on the lot and think to myself in ten years I might be able to afford that car – but now I wonder if in ten years I will be able to afford the gas.

I have always loved cars. I remember earnestly praying when I was a young teenager, “O Lord please don’t let me die until I get to drive.” And I was totally serious about that. I used to love looking at the exotic sports cars but now have come to the conclusion that it is not a good use of the resources God provides. It was funny to hear Danica Patrick complain about her Lamborghini – no trunk space and no cup holders.

I found another pastors church website that says “What I Drive: A 2010 Dodge Challenger and 2004 Harley Fat Boy” So now my question is that an SE, S/T, or an SRT8?? Next question is, “What does your wife drive?”

Seems like a good husband drives an old car so his wife can have a reliable mini-van to drive the grandkids around and bring home the groceries. And that’s what I’m going to keep telling myself because I am blessed to have two cars, two dogs, three kids, four grandkids and one great wife. I’m sure if I didn’t have any of them I could afford an awesome car, a motorcycle and probably a boat.

Philippians 4:11-13 says, “Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”

I have pictures of cars I have owned and cars I have experienced on Pinterest. Best car I ever drove 1968 Plymouth Road Runner with a 440 Magnum. Worst car I ever drove was an AMC Pacer.

I’m sure you can tell I really enjoy cars, comparing cars, driving cars and watching cars. I need transportation and within reason I get to choose what that transportation will be but when what I drives becomes pridefully attached to identity or I put my stuff before my relationship with God it becomes sin. When I read what Jesus closest friend and disciple John wrote it helps me keep the right perspective about my possessions and experiences, “For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.” – 1 John 2:16

My first car cost $50 to purchase and $150 in parts in 1986. After I rebuilt the carburetor I could one wheel burnouts with that 318 V-8

Cars in the Bible

“Most people assume WWJD stands for ‘What would Jesus do?’ But according to Scott Ostler of the San Francisco Chronicle, the initials are shorthand for ‘What would Jesus drive?’

“For centuries, theologians have squabbled over the type of transportation the Lord would use: Public transit or private car? Stick shift or automatic? A sport-utility vehicle roomy enough for all 12 apostles or an economy model?

“One of Ostler’s readers theorized that Jesus would tool around in an old Plymouth because the Bible says God drove Adam and Eve out of the garden of Eden in a Fury.

“But our research department found several other scenarios. In Psalm 83, for example, the Almighty clearly owns a Pontiac and a Geo. The passage urges the Lord to ‘pursue your enemies with your Tempest and terrify them with your Storm.’ (We’re not sure how a Geo Storm could be considered terrifying, unless it had those scary shooting flames painted on the sides.)

“Another scripture indicates that Yahweh favored Dodge pickup trucks. Moses’ followers are warned not to go up a mountain until ‘the Ram’s horn sounds a long blast.’

“Some scholars insist that Jesus drove a Honda, but didn’t like to talk about it. As proof, they cite a verse in John’s gospel where Christ tells a crowd, ‘For I did not speak of my own Accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say.’ However, there is debate over whether the vehicle had bumper stickers such as ‘Save the Humans,’ ‘My other car is a flaming chariot’ or ‘Honk if you love me.’

“Ostler has uncovered several other religious theories: [One of them is that] Moses rode an old British motorcycle, as evidenced by a Bible passage declaring that ‘the roar of Moses’ Triumph is heard in the hills.’ “

Someone else has suggested the apostles following Jesus’ lead and carpooled in a Honda because Acts records that “the apostles were in one Accord”.